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India.com
03-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
5 Must-Know Truths Before Locking In Your Career Path
The moment after Class 12 results are announced is often filled with both excitement and anxiety. Questions from family, friends, and even strangers begin to pour in: 'What's next?' 'Which college?' 'Engineering or medicine?' It can feel like everyone expects you to have your entire life planned out overnight. But here's the truth: choosing a career is not a one-time decision—it's a journey. And making a confident start doesn't mean having all the answers. It means asking the right questions. Interestingly, the gap between education and employability is more real than many realise. According to the India Skills Report 2024, only 51.25% of graduates in India are considered employable by industry standards . That means nearly half of those who complete their degrees are still not prepared for the job market, often because the choices they made after school didn't align with real-world expectations. Before you lock in your next big step, here are five essential truths shared by Shim Mathew, Director- Academic Operations and International that can help you navigate this journey with greater clarity and confidence. 1. Career Choices at 17 Are a Starting Point, Not a Final Destination Students often feel pressured to have their entire careers mapped out immediately after high school. It is essential to understand that career planning is a continuous journey, and the choices you make at 17 or 18 serve as just an initial starting point. Most professionals refine or redirect their career paths based on experience, interests, and emerging opportunities. Thus, students should focus on building foundational skills, exploring diverse subjects, and gaining clarity over time, rather than seeking a definitive long-term label too early. 2. Interest Must Be Balanced with Employability While pursuing one's passion is often encouraged, it is equally vital to evaluate whether the interest aligns with employment opportunities. For example, the India Skills Report 2024 indicates that sectors such as BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance), telecommunications, and core engineering continue to report high demand for skilled professionals. Students with an inclination toward creative arts or humanities can explore applied avenues such as UI/UX design, communication strategy, or behavioural science, where interest meets market relevance. The goal should be to find the intersection of personal interest, aptitude, and economic viability. 3. Skill-Based Hiring Is Gaining Ground A growing number of companies are placing greater importance on proven skills rather than formal degrees. Prominent global firms like Google, Apple, and IBM have eliminated degree prerequisites for various positions, emphasising abilities and hands-on experience instead. This shift is also visible in India. Industry leaders are turning to alternative credentials such as project portfolios, certifications from online platforms, and internship experiences. 4. Networking Matters as Much as Knowledge Networking isn't just for working professionals. In fact, students who begin building their professional networks early often find more opportunities, be it internships, mentorship, or exposure to different industries. Reach out to seniors, attend webinars, join student forums, or connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. One meaningful conversation can offer insight, direction, or unlock opportunities you hadn't anticipated. The relationships you build now can become valuable career assets later. 5. Success Is Individual, Not Standardised Lastly, students should resist the temptation to define success through societal or peer benchmarks. A successful career is not only about income but also about job satisfaction, alignment with personal values, and growth opportunities. It is essential to understand that different individuals find fulfilment through different career trajectories—whether through stable corporate jobs, entrepreneurial ventures, research roles, or development-sector work. The key lies in self-awareness, not comparison.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India's employability crisis: Why degrees aren't enough for today's job market
Across India, academic milestones often arrive with high expectations and critical decisions. As students progress through the education system, whether completing school or preparing for college, they and their families are faced with choices that influence not just career paths, but also financial security, personal aspirations and social identity. In the midst of this transition, most conversations revolve around what to study next. However, there is a deeper and more urgent concern that often goes unnoticed. The real challenge India is grappling with is not just unemployment. It is the issue of employability. This concern is not limited to individuals or households; it affects industries, educational institutions and the nation's economic future as a whole. Let's look at the numbers. Every year, over 1.5 crore graduates enter India's job market. Yet the India Skills Report 2024 reveals that only 46% of them are considered employable by industry standards. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) reports youth unemployment standing at 16 percent, even as companies struggle to find candidates with the right skills. Clearly, the problem is not just a lack of jobs; it is a mismatch between what education produces and what the market needs. This mismatch is especially risky given India's youth bulge. With over 50 percent of the population under 25 and 65 percent under 35, India has one of the world's largest pools of working-age people. This presents a potential 'demographic dividend' that could propel the country toward becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2028. But if these young people are undertrained or underprepared, they risk becoming a demographic liability instead, fueling underemployment, frustration and even social unrest. Why the mismatch Why is this happening? Part of the issue is the rigidity of educational choices. For decades, students have followed well-worn academic paths: after Class 10, over 55% opt for Science (usually aiming for engineering or medicine), around 25–30% go into Commerce ( CA, BBA), and only 10–15% choose Humanities. After Class 12, most continue into familiar undergraduate programs, whether or not these truly match their abilities or interests. However, the fastest-growing job opportunities today are in emerging sectors: Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, fintech, biotechnology, digital marketing, green energy and agri-tech. According to National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), India is expected to create 90 lakh new jobs in digital and emerging technologies by 2030. Yet fewer than 20 percent of students are actively preparing for these fields, partly because schools and colleges are still stuck in rote learning and outdated curricula. For instance, consider a student who graduates with a first-class degree in electronics engineering but struggles to find a job. It is only after completing a short-term certification in data analytics, a subject never covered during college, that they manage to secure a position at a tech startup. Stories like this reflect a broader reality and highlight the urgent need for India's educational institutions to move beyond textbooks and degrees, incorporating practical skills, internships, and industry exposure into the core of learning. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes skill development and greater flexibility in learning pathways, aiming to better prepare students for real-world careers. However, its implementation has been uneven, particularly outside major cities. For many students, access to professional career counseling is limited or entirely absent. As a result, choices are often guided by family expectations or societal norms rather than a clear understanding of individual strengths, interests, or market trends. Unless students and institutions actively respond to the changing demands of the workforce, the promise of the NEP may remain unrealized. Studies by McKinsey & Company suggest that improving employability by just 10 to 15 percent could add between $200 - $250 billion to India's GDP over the next decade. At the same time, global reports from the World Economic Forum highlight that countries such as Japan, Germany, and South Korea are facing significant labor shortages due to aging populations. This creates a unique opportunity for India's young workforce to become a major exporter of skilled talent, but only if they are equipped with the right skills and training. To bridge the gap, India needs a coordinated national push. Colleges must build stronger industry partnerships for apprenticeships and problem-oriented projects. Platforms like Skill India and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) must expand their reach, ensuring even rural students can access cutting-edge training. Families need to embrace lifelong learning, where upskilling and reskilling through short courses, online certifications, or modular programs, even for mid-career professionals. Strategy for students and parents For students at this crossroads, the key is to think beyond marks. Ask yourself: What are you passionate about? Where are the new opportunities? A student interested in Biology doesn't have to limit themselves to Medicine; they could explore Biotechnology, genetic research, health informatics, etc. Someone good at Math doesn't have to stick to Engineering; they could venture into data science, AI, quantitative finance, etc. And for parents: support your child's curiosity and adaptability. The most successful careers of tomorrow may be in fields that didn't even exist ten years ago. As the results season sweeps across India, let's widen the national conversation. It's not just about who scored how much, or who gets into which college. It's about whether we are preparing a generation that is ready, ready not just to find a job, but to shape the future of India. Because the real question isn't just 'What will you do after Class 10 or 12 or a degree?' It's 'How will you help build the India of tomorrow?
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Demand for AI professionals in India projected to touch one million by 2026: Report
India is poised to see a massive surge in demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals, with projections estimating the need for one million skilled individuals by 2026, according to the report India's AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat, released by the Union Ministry of Electronics & IT. As the country aspires to become a $23-$35 trillion economy by 2047, higher education--particularly in engineering--is undergoing a fundamental transformation to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market shaped by AI, automation, and interdisciplinary innovation. Engineering education is at the heart of this shift. According to the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the number of approved B. Tech seats for the 2024-25 academic year has risen to 14.9 lakh--a nearly 16 per cent increase over four years. This growth is largely driven by a more than 50 per cent rise in seats for Computer Science and allied streams such as AI/ML, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain--mirroring strong industry demand. India's tech education landscape is increasingly embracing interdisciplinary and industry-integrated learning to nurture a new generation of engineers who can code, create, collaborate, and lead innovation. The transition from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to STEAM, adding Arts to the mix, is gaining ground, blending technical knowledge with design thinking, communication, psychology, law, and business. Recently, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) announced the launch of Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII), an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused institute. According to the institute, SAII will integrate cutting-edge AI into academic programmes and research. "By embracing AI, we are not just keeping pace with global innovation but also empowering our students to become responsible innovators and problem-solvers who will shape the future. Curriculum at Symbiosis combines strong theoretical foundations with real-world applications from day one, creating a dynamic ecosystem that fosters both technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth. And this reflects in programs offered by our Symbiosis Dubai campus. Both B. Tech and BCA integrate AI in specialisations enforcing learning and development and preparing students for the future," said Amruta Yeravdekar Ruikar, Head of International Admissions & Promotions, Symbiosis International University. The India Skills Report 2024 by Wheebox forecasts that India's AI industry will reach $28.8 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 45 per cent. The report highlights that the AI-skilled workforce has seen a 14-fold increase from 2016 to 2023, making India one of the top five fastest-growing AI talent hubs, alongside Singapore, Finland, Ireland, and Canada. "The surge in demand for AI professionals' stems from rapid technological progress. As AI reshapes productivity, operations, and innovation, preparing a future-ready workforce is imperative. At SRM Institute of Science and Technology, we offer interdisciplinary programs in areas like Medical Engineering, ECE with Data science, Biotechnology (Food Technology) and AI-ML Embedded Systems to bridge emerging domains. Our strong academia-industry partnerships provide students with real-world exposure and global competitiveness," according to Dr. Kathiravan Kannan, Director, SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram, Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. This interdisciplinary momentum is now a nationwide trend as institutions are increasingly embedding research-driven curricula, industry mentorship and global exposure into their programs. New focus areas like Extended Reality (XR), ethical AI, data visualization, and digital manufacturing are becoming foundational to modern tech education. According to Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, "We see a growing need to foster an innovation ecosystem driven by AI, for today's youth by providing experiential learning opportunities such as internships, global immersion programmes, and research initiatives. At Mahindra University, we believe academic excellence is achieved when rigorous foundational knowledge is seamlessly integrated with real-world applications. Our multidisciplinary approach empowers students to understand the technical concepts of AI while also cultivating critical problem-solving abilities, adaptability, ethics and emotional intelligence."
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India to need 1 million AI professionals by 2026, says report amid tech education overhaul
India is poised to see a massive surge in demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals, with projections estimating the need for one million skilled individuals by 2026, according to the report India's AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat, released by the Union Ministry of Electronics & the country aspires to become a USD 23-USD 35 trillion economy by 2047, higher education--particularly in engineering--is undergoing a fundamental transformation to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market shaped by AI, automation, and interdisciplinary innovation. Engineering education is at the heart of this shift. According to the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the number of approved B. Tech seats for the 2024-25 academic year has risen to 14.9 lakh--a nearly 16 per cent increase over four years. This growth is largely driven by a more than 50 per cent rise in seats for Computer Science and allied streams such as AI/ML, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain--mirroring strong industry demand. India's tech education landscape is increasingly embracing interdisciplinary and industry-integrated learning to nurture a new generation of engineers who can code, create, collaborate, and lead innovation. The transition from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to STEAM, adding Arts to the mix, is gaining ground, blending technical knowledge with design thinking, communication, psychology, law, and business. Recently, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) announced the launch of Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII), an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused institute. According to the institute, SAII will integrate cutting-edge AI into academic programmes and research. "By embracing AI, we are not just keeping pace with global innovation but also empowering our students to become responsible innovators and problem-solvers who will shape the future. Curriculum at Symbiosis combines strong theoretical foundations with real-world applications from day one, creating a dynamic ecosystem that fosters both technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth. And this reflects in programs offered by our Symbiosis Dubai campus. Both B. Tech and BCA integrate AI in specialisations enforcing learning and development and preparing students for the future," said Amruta Yeravdekar Ruikar, Head of International Admissions & Promotions, Symbiosis International University. The India Skills Report 2024 by Wheebox forecasts that India's AI industry will reach USD 28.8 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 45 per cent. The report highlights that the AI-skilled workforce has seen a 14-fold increase from 2016 to 2023, making India one of the top five fastest-growing AI talent hubs, alongside Singapore, Finland, Ireland, and Canada. "The surge in demand for AI professionals' stems from rapid technological progress. As AI reshapes productivity, operations, and innovation, preparing a future-ready workforce is imperative. At SRM Institute of Science and Technology, we offer interdisciplinary programs in areas like Medical Engineering, ECE with Data science, Biotechnology (Food Technology) and AI-ML Embedded Systems to bridge emerging domains. Our strong academia-industry partnerships provide students with real-world exposure and global competitiveness," according to Dr. Kathiravan Kannan, Director, SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram, Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. This interdisciplinary momentum is now a nationwide trend as institutions are increasingly embedding research-driven curricula, industry mentorship and global exposure into their programs. New focus areas like Extended Reality (XR), ethical AI, data visualization, and digital manufacturing are becoming foundational to modern tech education. According to Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, "We see a growing need to foster an innovation ecosystem driven by AI, for today's youth by providing experiential learning opportunities such as internships, global immersion programmes, and research initiatives. At Mahindra University, we believe academic excellence is achieved when rigorous foundational knowledge is seamlessly integrated with real-world applications. Our multidisciplinary approach empowers students to understand the technical concepts of AI while also cultivating critical problem-solving abilities, adaptability, ethics and emotional intelligence."
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India to need 1 million AI professionals by 2026, says report amid tech education overhaul
NEW DELHI: India is poised to see a massive surge in demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals, with projections estimating the need for one million skilled individuals by 2026, according to the report India's AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat, released by the Union Ministry of Electronics & IT. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As the country aspires to become a USD 23-USD 35 trillion economy by 2047, higher education--particularly in engineering--is undergoing a fundamental transformation to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market shaped by AI, automation, and interdisciplinary innovation. Engineering education is at the heart of this shift. According to the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the number of approved B. Tech seats for the 2024-25 academic year has risen to 14.9 lakh--a nearly 16 per cent increase over four years. This growth is largely driven by a more than 50 per cent rise in seats for Computer Science and allied streams such as AI/ML, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain--mirroring strong industry demand. India's tech education landscape is increasingly embracing interdisciplinary and industry-integrated learning to nurture a new generation of engineers who can code, create, collaborate, and lead innovation. The transition from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to STEAM, adding Arts to the mix, is gaining ground, blending technical knowledge with design thinking, communication, psychology, law, and business. Recently, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) announced the launch of Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII), an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused institute. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the institute, SAII will integrate cutting-edge AI into academic programmes and research. "By embracing AI, we are not just keeping pace with global innovation but also empowering our students to become responsible innovators and problem-solvers who will shape the future. Curriculum at Symbiosis combines strong theoretical foundations with real-world applications from day one, creating a dynamic ecosystem that fosters both technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth. And this reflects in programs offered by our Symbiosis Dubai campus. Both B. Tech and BCA integrate AI in specialisations enforcing learning and development and preparing students for the future," said Amruta Yeravdekar Ruikar, Head of International Admissions & Promotions, Symbiosis International University. The India Skills Report 2024 by Wheebox forecasts that India's AI industry will reach USD 28.8 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 45 per cent. The report highlights that the AI-skilled workforce has seen a 14-fold increase from 2016 to 2023, making India one of the top five fastest-growing AI talent hubs, alongside Singapore, Finland, Ireland, and Canada. "The surge in demand for AI professionals' stems from rapid technological progress. As AI reshapes productivity, operations, and innovation, preparing a future-ready workforce is imperative. At SRM Institute of Science and Technology, we offer interdisciplinary programs in areas like Medical Engineering, ECE with Data science, Biotechnology (Food Technology) and AI-ML Embedded Systems to bridge emerging domains. Our strong academia-industry partnerships provide students with real-world exposure and global competitiveness," according to Dr. Kathiravan Kannan, Director, SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram, Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. This interdisciplinary momentum is now a nationwide trend as institutions are increasingly embedding research-driven curricula, industry mentorship and global exposure into their programs. New focus areas like Extended Reality (XR), ethical AI, data visualization, and digital manufacturing are becoming foundational to modern tech education. According to Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, "We see a growing need to foster an innovation ecosystem driven by AI, for today's youth by providing experiential learning opportunities such as internships, global immersion programmes, and research initiatives. At Mahindra University, we believe academic excellence is achieved when rigorous foundational knowledge is seamlessly integrated with real-world applications. Our multidisciplinary approach empowers students to understand the technical concepts of AI while also cultivating critical problem-solving abilities, adaptability, ethics and emotional intelligence."
